Meanwhile the hainous and despightfull act 

Of SATAN done in Paradise, and how 

Hee in the Serpent had perverted EVE, 

Her Husband shee, to taste the fatall fruit, 

Was known in Heav'n; for what can scape the Eye 

Of God All-seeing, or deceave his Heart 

Omniscient, who in all things wise and just, 

Hinder'd not SATAN to attempt the minde 

Of Man, with strength entire, and free Will arm'd, 

Complete to have discover'd and repulst 

Whatever wiles of Foe or seeming Friend. 

For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd 

The high Injunction not to taste that Fruit, 

Whoever tempted; which they not obeying, 

Incurr'd, what could they less, the penaltie, 

And manifold in sin, deserv'd to fall. 

Up into Heav'n from Paradise in hast 

Th' Angelic Guards ascended, mute and sad 

For Man, for of his state by this they knew, 

Much wondring how the suttle Fiend had stoln 

Entrance unseen.  Soon as th' unwelcome news 

From Earth arriv'd at Heaven Gate, displeas'd 

All were who heard, dim sadness did not spare 

That time Celestial visages, yet mixt 

With pitie, violated not thir bliss. 

About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes 

Th' ethereal People ran, to hear and know 

How all befell: they towards the Throne Supream 

Accountable made haste to make appear 

With righteous plea, thir utmost vigilance, 

And easily approv'd; when the most High 

Eternal Father from his secret Cloud, 

Amidst in Thunder utter'd thus his voice. 



  Assembl'd Angels, and ye Powers return'd 

From unsuccessful charge, be not dismaid, 

Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the Earth, 

Which your sincerest care could not prevent, 

Foretold so lately what would come to pass, 

When first this Tempter cross'd the Gulf from Hell. 

I told ye then he should prevail and speed 

On his bad Errand, Man should be seduc't 

And flatter'd out of all, believing lies 

Against his Maker; no Decree of mine 

Concurring to necessitate his Fall, 

Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 

His free Will, to her own inclining left 

In eevn scale.  But fall'n he is, and now 

What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pass 

On his transgression, Death denounc't that day, 

Which he presumes already vain and void, 

Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, 

By some immediate stroak; but soon shall find 

Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. 

Justice shall not return as bountie scorn'd. 

But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee 

Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferr'd 

All Judgement, whether in Heav'n, or Earth; or Hell. 

Easie it may be seen that I intend 

Mercie collegue with Justice, sending thee 

Mans Friend, his Mediator, his design'd 

Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie, 

And destin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n. 



  So spake the Father, and unfoulding bright 

Toward the right hand his Glorie, on the Son 

Blaz'd forth unclouded Deitie; he full 

Resplendent all his Father manifest 

Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd milde. 



  Father Eternal, thine is to decree, 

Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will 

Supream, that thou in mee thy Son belov'd 

Mayst ever rest well pleas'd.  I go to judge 

On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou knowst, 

Whoever judg'd, the worst on mee must light, 

When time shall be, for so I undertook 

Before thee; and not repenting, this obtaine 

Of right, that I may mitigate thir doom 

On me deriv'd, yet I shall temper so 

Justice with Mercie, as may illustrate most 

Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. 

Attendance none shall need, nor Train, where none 

Are to behold the Judgement, but the judg'd, 

Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, 

Convict by flight, and Rebel to all Law 

Conviction to the Serpent none belongs. 



  Thus saying, from his radiant Seat he rose 

Of high collateral glorie: him Thrones and Powers, 

Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant 

Accompanied to Heaven Gate, from whence 

EDEN and all the Coast in prospect lay. 

Down he descended strait; the speed of Gods 

Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. 

Now was the Sun in Western cadence low 

From Noon, and gentle Aires due at thir hour 

To fan the Earth now wak'd, and usher in 

The Eevning coole when he from wrauth more coole 

Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both 

To sentence Man: the voice of God they heard 

Now walking in the Garden, by soft windes 

Brought to thir Ears, while day declin'd, they heard 

And from his presence hid themselves among 

The thickest Trees, both Man and Wife, till God 

Approaching, thus to ADAM call'd aloud. 



  Where art thou ADAM, wont with joy to meet 

My coming seen far off?  I miss thee here, 

Not pleas'd, thus entertaind with solitude, 

Where obvious dutie erewhile appear'd unsaught: 

Or come I less conspicuous, or what change 

Absents thee, or what chance detains?  Come forth. 

He came, and with him EVE, more loth, though first 

To offend, discount'nanc't both, and discompos'd; 

Love was not in thir looks, either to God 

Or to each other, but apparent guilt, 

And shame, and perturbation, and despaire, 

Anger, and obstinacie, and hate, and guile. 

Whence ADAM faultring long, thus answer'd brief. 



  I heard thee in the Garden, and of thy voice 

Affraid, being naked, hid my self.  To whom 

The gracious Judge without revile repli'd. 



  My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, 

But still rejoyc't, how is it now become 

So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who 

Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the Tree 

Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat? 



  To whom thus ADAM sore beset repli'd. 

O Heav'n! in evil strait this day I stand 

Before my Judge, either to undergoe 

My self the total Crime, or to accuse 

My other self, the partner of my life; 

Whose failing, while her Faith to me remaines, 

I should conceal, and not expose to blame 

By my complaint; but strict necessitie 

Subdues me, and calamitous constraint, 

Least on my head both sin and punishment, 

However insupportable, be all 

Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou 

Wouldst easily detect what I conceale. 

This Woman whom thou mad'st to be my help, 

And gav'st me as thy perfet gift, so good, 

So fit, so acceptable, so Divine, 

That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 

And what she did, whatever in it self, 

Her doing seem'd to justifie the deed; 

Shee gave me of the Tree, and I did eate. 



  To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd. 

Was shee thy God, that her thou didst obey 

Before his voice, or was shee made thy guide, 

Superior, or but equal, that to her 

Thou did'st resigne thy Manhood, and the Place 

Wherein God set thee above her made of thee, 

And for thee, whose perfection farr excell'd 

Hers in all real dignitie: Adornd 

She was indeed, and lovely to attract 

Thy Love, not thy Subjection, and her Gifts 

Were such as under Government well seem'd, 

Unseemly to beare rule, which was thy part 

And person, had'st thou known thy self aright. 



  So having said, he thus to EVE in few: 

Say Woman, what is this which thou hast done? 



  To whom sad EVE with shame nigh overwhelm'd, 

Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge 

Bold or loquacious, thus abasht repli'd. 



  The Serpent me beguil'd and I did eate. 



  Which when the Lord God heard, without delay 

To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd 

Serpent though brute, unable to transferre 

The Guilt on him who made him instrument 

Of mischief, and polluted from the end 

Of his Creation; justly then accurst, 

As vitiated in Nature: more to know 

Concern'd not Man (since he no further knew) 

Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last 

To Satan first in sin his doom apply'd, 

Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best: 

And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall. 



  Because thou hast done this, thou art accurst 

Above all Cattel, each Beast of the Field; 

Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt goe, 

And dust shalt eat all the days of thy Life. 

Between Thee and the Woman I will put 

Enmitie, and between thine and her Seed; 

Her Seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel. 



  So spake this Oracle, then verifi'd 

When JESUS son of MARY second EVE, 

Saw Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav'n, 

Prince of the Aire; then rising from his Grave 

Spoild Principalities and Powers, triumpht 

In open shew, and with ascention bright 

Captivity led captive through the Aire, 

The Realme it self of Satan long usurpt, 

Whom he shall tread at last under our feet; 

Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise, 

And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn'd. 



  Thy sorrow I will greatly multiplie 

By thy Conception; Children thou shalt bring 

In sorrow forth, and to thy Husbands will 

Thine shall submit, hee over thee shall rule. 



  On ADAM last thus judgement he pronounc'd. 

Because thou hast heark'nd to the voice of thy Wife, 

And eaten of the Tree concerning which 

I charg'd thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof, 

Curs'd is the ground for thy sake, thou in sorrow 

Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life; 

Thornes also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth 

Unbid, and thou shalt eate th' Herb of th' Field, 

In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eate Bread, 

Till thou return unto the ground, for thou 

Out of the ground wast taken, know thy Birth, 

For dust thou art, and shalt to dust returne. 



   So judg'd he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent, 

And th' instant stroke of Death denounc't that day 

Remov'd farr off; then pittying how they stood 

Before him naked to the aire, that now 

Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin 

Thenceforth the forme of servant to assume, 

As when he wash'd his servants feet, so now 

As Father of his Familie he clad 

Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain, 

Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid; 

And thought not much to cloath his Enemies: 

Nor hee thir outward onely with the Skins 

Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more 

Opprobrious, with his Robe of righteousness, 

Araying cover'd from his Fathers sight. 

To him with swift ascent he up returnd, 

Into his blissful bosom reassum'd 

In glory as of old, to him appeas'd 

All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man 

Recounted, mixing intercession sweet. 

Meanwhile ere thus was sin'd and judg'd on Earth, 

Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death, 

In counterview within the Gates, that now 

Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame 

Farr into CHAOS, since the Fiend pass'd through, 

Sin opening, who thus now to Death began. 



  O Son, why sit we here each other viewing 

Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives 

In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides 

For us his ofspring deare?  It cannot be 

But that success attends him; if mishap, 

Ere this he had return'd, with fury driv'n 

By his Avenger, since no place like this 

Can fit his punishment, or their revenge. 

Methinks I feel new strength within me rise, 

Wings growing, and Dominion giv'n me large 

Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on, 

Or sympathie, or som connatural force 

Powerful at greatest distance to unite 

With secret amity things of like kinde 

By secretest conveyance.  Thou my Shade 

Inseparable must with mee along: 

For Death from Sin no power can separate. 

But least the difficultie of passing back 

Stay his returne perhaps over this Gulfe 

Impassable, impervious, let us try 

Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine 

Not unagreeable, to found a path 

Over this Maine from Hell to that new World 

Where Satan now prevailes, a Monument 

Of merit high to all th' infernal Host, 

Easing thir passage hence, for intercourse, 

Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead. 

Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn 

By this new felt attraction and instinct. 



  Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon. 

Goe whither Fate and inclination strong 

Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre 

The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw 

Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste 

The savour of Death from all things there that live: 

Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest 

Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid. 



  So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell 

Of mortal change on Earth.  As when a flock 

Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote, 

Against the day of Battel, to a Field, 

Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur'd 

With sent of living Carcasses design'd 

For death, the following day, in bloodie fight. 

So sented the grim Feature, and upturn'd 

His Nostril wide into the murkie Air, 

Sagacious of his Quarrey from so farr. 

Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste 

Wide Anarchie of CHAOS damp and dark 

Flew divers, & with Power (thir Power was great) 

Hovering upon the Waters; what they met 

Solid or slimie, as in raging Sea 

Tost up and down, together crowded drove 

From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell. 

As when two Polar Winds blowing adverse 

Upon the CRONIAN Sea, together drive 

Mountains of Ice, that stop th' imagin'd way 

Beyond PETSORA Eastward, to the rich 

CATHAIAN Coast.  The aggregated Soyle 

Death with his Mace petrific, cold and dry, 

As with a Trident smote, and fix't as firm 

As DELOS floating once; the rest his look 

Bound with GORGONIAN rigor not to move, 

And with ASPHALTIC slime; broad as the Gate, 

Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather'd beach 

They fasten'd, and the Mole immense wraught on 

Over the foaming deep high Archt, a Bridge 

Of length prodigious joyning to the Wall 

Immoveable of this now fenceless world 

Forfeit to Death; from hence a passage broad, 

Smooth, easie, inoffensive down to Hell. 

So, if great things to small may be compar'd, 

XERXES, the Libertie of GREECE to yoke, 

From SUSA his MEMNONIAN Palace high 

Came to the Sea, and over HELLESPONT 

Bridging his way, EUROPE with ASIA joyn'd, 

And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves. 

Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art 

Pontifical, a ridge of pendent Rock 

Over the vext Abyss, following the track 

Of SATAN, to the selfsame place where hee 

First lighted from his Wing, and landed safe 

From out of CHAOS to the outside bare 

Of this round World: with Pinns of Adamant 

And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made 

And durable; and now in little space 

The Confines met of Empyrean Heav'n 

And of this World, and on the left hand Hell 

With long reach interpos'd; three sev'ral wayes 

In sight, to each of these three places led. 

And now thir way to Earth they had descri'd, 

To Paradise first tending, when behold 

SATAN in likeness of an Angel bright 

Betwixt the CENTAURE and the SCORPION stearing 

His ZENITH, while the Sun in ARIES rose: 

Disguis'd he came, but those his Children dear 

Thir Parent soon discern'd, though in disguise. 

Hee, after EVE seduc't, unminded slunk 

Into the Wood fast by, and changing shape 

To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act 

By EVE, though all unweeting, seconded 

Upon her Husband, saw thir shame that sought 

Vain covertures; but when he saw descend 

The Son of God to judge them, terrifi'd 

Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun 

The present, fearing guiltie what his wrauth 

Might suddenly inflict; that past, return'd 

By Night, and listning where the hapless Paire 

Sate in thir sad discourse, and various plaint, 

Thence gatherd his own doom, which understood 

Not instant, but of future time.  With joy 

And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd, 

And at the brink of CHAOS, neer the foot 

Of this new wondrous Pontifice, unhop't 

Met who to meet him came, his Ofspring dear. 

Great joy was at thir meeting, and at sight 

Of that stupendious Bridge his joy encreas'd. 

Long hee admiring stood, till Sin, his faire 

Inchanting Daughter, thus the silence broke. 



  O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds, 

Thy Trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own, 

Thou art thir Author and prime Architect: 

For I no sooner in my Heart divin'd, 

My Heart, which by a secret harmonie 

Still moves with thine, joyn'd in connexion sweet, 

That thou on Earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks 

Now also evidence, but straight I felt 

Though distant from thee Worlds between, yet felt 

That I must after thee with this thy Son; 

Such fatal consequence unites us three: 

Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, 

Nor this unvoyageable Gulf obscure 

Detain from following thy illustrious track. 

Thou hast atchiev'd our libertie, confin'd 

Within Hell Gates till now, thou us impow'rd 

To fortifie thus farr, and overlay 

With this portentous Bridge the dark Abyss. 

Thine now is all this World, thy vertue hath won 

What thy hands builded not, thy Wisdom gain'd 

With odds what Warr hath lost, and fully aveng'd 

Our foile in Heav'n; here thou shalt Monarch reign, 

There didst not; there let him still Victor sway, 

As Battel hath adjudg'd, from this new World 

Retiring, by his own doom alienated, 

And henceforth Monarchie with thee divide 

Of all things, parted by th' Empyreal bounds, 

His Quadrature, from thy Orbicular World, 

Or trie thee now more dang'rous to his Throne. 



  Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answerd glad. 

Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both, 

High proof ye now have giv'n to be the Race 

Of SATAN (for I glorie in the name, 

Antagonist of Heav'ns Almightie King) 

Amply have merited of me, of all 

Th' Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav'ns dore 

Triumphal with triumphal act have met, 

Mine with this glorious Work, & made one Realm 

Hell and this World, one Realm, one Continent 

Of easie thorough-fare.  Therefore while I 

Descend through Darkness, on your Rode with ease 

To my associate Powers, them to acquaint 

With these successes, and with them rejoyce, 

You two this way, among those numerous Orbs 

All yours, right down to Paradise descend; 

There dwell & Reign in bliss, thence on the Earth 

Dominion exercise and in the Aire, 

Chiefly on Man, sole Lord of all declar'd, 

Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. 

My Substitutes I send ye, and Create 

Plenipotent on Earth, of matchless might 

Issuing from mee: on your joynt vigor now 

My hold of this new Kingdom all depends, 

Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploit. 

If your joynt power prevaile, th' affaires of Hell 

No detriment need feare, goe and be strong. 



  So saying he dismiss'd them, they with speed 

Thir course through thickest Constellations held 

Spreading thir bane; the blasted Starrs lookt wan, 

And Planets, Planet-strook, real Eclips 

Then sufferd.  Th' other way SATAN went down 

The Causey to Hell Gate; on either side 

Disparted CHAOS over built exclaimd, 

And with rebounding surge the barrs assaild, 

That scorn'd his indignation: through the Gate, 

Wide open and unguarded, SATAN pass'd, 

And all about found desolate; for those 

Appointed to sit there, had left thir charge, 

Flown to the upper World; the rest were all 

Farr to the inland retir'd, about the walls 

Of PANDEMONIUM, Citie and proud seate 

Of LUCIFER, so by allusion calld, 

Of that bright Starr to SATAN paragond. 

There kept thir Watch the Legions, while the Grand 

In Council sate, sollicitous what chance 

Might intercept thir Emperour sent, so hee 

Departing gave command, and they observ'd. 

As when the TARTAR from his RUSSIAN Foe 

By ASTRACAN over the Snowie Plaines 

Retires, or BACTRIAN Sophi from the hornes 

Of TURKISH Crescent, leaves all waste beyond 

The Realme of ALADULE, in his retreate 

To TAURIS or CASBEEN.  So these the late 

Heav'n-banisht Host, left desert utmost Hell 

Many a dark League, reduc't in careful Watch 

Round thir Metropolis, and now expecting 

Each hour their great adventurer from the search 

Of Forrein Worlds: he through the midst unmarkt, 

In shew plebeian Angel militant 

Of lowest order, past; and from the dore 

Of that PLUTONIAN Hall, invisible 

Ascended his high Throne, which under state 

Of richest texture spred, at th' upper end 

Was plac't in regal lustre.  Down a while 

He sate, and round about him saw unseen: 

At last as from a Cloud his fulgent head 

And shape Starr bright appeer'd, or brighter, clad 

With what permissive glory since his fall 

Was left him, or false glitter: All amaz'd 

At that so sudden blaze the STYGIAN throng 

Bent thir aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, 

Thir mighty Chief returnd: loud was th' acclaime: 

Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting Peers, 

Rais'd from thir dark DIVAN, and with like joy 

Congratulant approach'd him, who with hand 

Silence, and with these words attention won. 



  Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers, 

For in possession such, not onely of right, 

I call ye and declare ye now, returnd 

Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth 

Triumphant out of this infernal Pit 

Abominable, accurst, the house of woe, 

And Dungeon of our Tyrant: Now possess, 

As Lords, a spacious World, to our native Heaven 

Little inferiour, by my adventure hard 

With peril great atchiev'd.  Long were to tell 

What I have don, what sufferd, with what paine 

Voyag'd the unreal, vast, unbounded deep 

Of horrible confusion, over which 

By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav'd 

To expedite your glorious march; but I 

Toild out my uncouth passage, forc't to ride 

Th' untractable Abysse, plung'd in the womb 

Of unoriginal NIGHT and CHAOS wilde, 

That jealous of thir secrets fiercely oppos'd 

My journey strange, with clamorous uproare 

Protesting Fate supreame; thence how I found 

The new created World, which fame in Heav'n 

Long had foretold, a Fabrick wonderful 

Of absolute perfection, therein Man 

Plac't in a Paradise, by our exile 

Made happie: Him by fraud I have seduc'd 

From his Creator, and the more to increase 

Your wonder, with an Apple; he thereat 

Offended, worth your laughter, hath giv'n up 

Both his beloved Man and all his World, 

To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us, 

Without our hazard, labour or allarme, 

To range in, and to dwell, and over Man 

To rule, as over all he should have rul'd. 

True is, mee also he hath judg'd, or rather 

Mee not, but the brute Serpent in whose shape 

Man I deceav'd: that which to mee belongs, 

Is enmity, which he will put between 

Mee and Mankinde; I am to bruise his heel; 

His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head: 

A World who would not purchase with a bruise, 

Or much more grievous pain?  Ye have th' account 

Of my performance: What remaines, ye Gods, 

But up and enter now into full bliss. 



  So having said, a while he stood, expecting 

Thir universal shout and high applause 

To fill his eare, when contrary he hears 

On all sides, from innumerable tongues 

A dismal universal hiss, the sound 

Of public scorn; he wonderd, but not long 

Had leasure, wondring at himself now more; 

His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare, 

His Armes clung to his Ribs, his Leggs entwining 

Each other, till supplanted down he fell 

A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone, 

Reluctant, but in vaine, a greater power 

Now rul'd him, punisht in the shape he sin'd, 

According to his doom: he would have spoke, 

But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue 

To forked tongue, for now were all transform'd 

Alike, to Serpents all as accessories 

To his bold Riot: dreadful was the din 

Of hissing through the Hall, thick swarming now 

With complicated monsters, head and taile, 

Scorpion and Asp, and AMPHISBAENA dire, 

CERASTES hornd, HYDRUS, and ELLOPS drear, 

And DIPSAS (Not so thick swarm'd once the Soil 

Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the Isle 

OPHIUSA) but still greatest hee the midst, 

Now Dragon grown, larger then whom the Sun 

Ingenderd in the PYTHIAN Vale on slime, 

Huge PYTHON, and his Power no less he seem'd 

Above the rest still to retain; they all 

Him follow'd issuing forth to th' open Field, 

Where all yet left of that revolted Rout 

Heav'n-fall'n, in station stood or just array, 

Sublime with expectation when to see 

In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief; 

They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd 

Of ugly Serpents; horror on them fell, 

And horrid sympathie; for what they saw, 

They felt themselvs now changing; down thir arms, 

Down fell both Spear and Shield, down they as fast, 

And the dire hiss renew'd, and the dire form 

Catcht by Contagion, like in punishment, 

As in thir crime.  Thus was th' applause they meant, 

Turnd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame 

Cast on themselves from thir own mouths.  There stood 

A Grove hard by, sprung up with this thir change, 

His will who reigns above, to aggravate 

Thir penance, laden with fair Fruit, like that 

VVhich grew in Paradise, the bait of EVE 

Us'd by the Tempter: on that prospect strange 

Thir earnest eyes they fix'd, imagining 

For one forbidden Tree a multitude 

Now ris'n, to work them furder woe or shame; 

Yet parcht with scalding thurst and hunger fierce, 

Though to delude them sent, could not abstain, 

But on they rould in heaps, and up the Trees 

Climbing, sat thicker then the snakie locks 

That curld MEGAERA: greedily they pluck'd 

The Frutage fair to sight, like that which grew 

Neer that bituminous Lake where SODOM flam'd; 

This more delusive, not the touch, but taste 

Deceav'd; they fondly thinking to allay 

Thir appetite with gust, instead of Fruit 

Chewd bitter Ashes, which th' offended taste 

VVith spattering noise rejected: oft they assayd, 

Hunger and thirst constraining, drugd as oft, 

VVith hatefullest disrelish writh'd thir jaws 

VVith foot and cinders fill'd; so oft they fell 

Into the same illusion, not as Man 

Whom they triumph'd once lapst.  Thus were they plagu'd 

And worn with Famin, long and ceasless hiss, 

Till thir lost shape, permitted, they resum'd, 

Yearly enjoynd, some say, to undergo 

This annual humbling certain number'd days, 

To dash thir pride, and joy for Man seduc't. 

However some tradition they dispers'd 

Among the Heathen of thir purchase got, 

And Fabl'd how the Serpent, whom they calld 

OPHION with EURYNOME, the wide- 

Encroaching EVE perhaps, had first the rule 

Of high OLYMPUS, thence by SATURN driv'n 

And OPS, ere yet DICTAEAN JOVE was born. 

Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair 

Too soon arriv'd, SIN there in power before, 

Once actual, now in body, and to dwell 

Habitual habitant; behind her DEATH 

Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet 

On his pale Horse: to whom SIN thus began. 



  Second of SATAN sprung, all conquering Death, 

What thinkst thou of our Empire now, though earnd 

With travail difficult, not better farr 

Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch, 

Unnam'd, undreaded, and thy self half starv'd? 



  Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon. 

To mee, who with eternal Famin pine, 

Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven, 

There best, where most with ravin I may meet; 

Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems 

To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps. 



  To whom th' incestuous Mother thus repli'd. 

Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, & Flours 

Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle, 

No homely morsels, and whatever thing 

The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspar'd, 

Till I in Man residing through the Race, 

His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect, 

And season him thy last and sweetest prey. 



  This said, they both betook them several wayes, 

Both to destroy, or unimmortal make 

All kinds, and for destruction to mature 

Sooner or later; which th' Almightie seeing, 

From his transcendent Seat the Saints among, 

To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice. 



  See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance 

To waste and havoc yonder VVorld, which I 

So fair and good created, and had still 

Kept in that state, had not the folly of Man 

Let in these wastful Furies, who impute 

Folly to mee, so doth the Prince of Hell 

And his Adherents, that with so much ease 

I suffer them to enter and possess 

A place so heav'nly, and conniving seem 

To gratifie my scornful Enemies, 

That laugh, as if transported with some fit 

Of Passion, I to them had quitted all, 

At random yeilded up to their misrule; 

And know not that I call'd and drew them thither 

My Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth 

Which mans polluting Sin with taint hath shed 

On what was pure, till cramm'd and gorg'd, nigh burst 

With suckt and glutted offal, at one fling 

Of thy victorious Arm, well-pleasing Son, 

Both SIN, and DEATH, and yawning GRAVE at last 

Through CHAOS hurld, obstruct the mouth of Hell 

For ever, and seal up his ravenous Jawes. 

Then Heav'n and Earth renewd shall be made pure 

To sanctitie that shall receive no staine: 

Till then the Curse pronounc't on both precedes. 



  Hee ended, and the heav'nly Audience loud 

Sung HALLELUIA, as the sound of Seas, 

Through multitude that sung: Just are thy ways, 

Righteous are thy Decrees on all thy Works; 

Who can extenuate thee?  Next, to the Son, 

Destin'd restorer of Mankind, by whom 

New Heav'n and Earth shall to the Ages rise, 

Or down from Heav'n descend.  Such was thir song, 

While the Creator calling forth by name 

His mightie Angels gave them several charge, 

As sorted best with present things.  The Sun 

Had first his precept so to move, so shine, 

As might affect the Earth with cold and heat 

Scarce tollerable, and from the North to call 

Decrepit Winter, from the South to bring 

Solstitial summers heat.  To the blanc Moone 

Her office they prescrib'd, to th' other five 

Thir planetarie motions and aspects 

In SEXTILE, SQUARE, and TRINE, and OPPOSITE, 

Of noxious efficacie, and when to joyne 

In Synod unbenigne, and taught the fixt 

Thir influence malignant when to showre, 

Which of them rising with the Sun, or falling, 

Should prove tempestuous: To the Winds they set 

Thir corners, when with bluster to confound 

Sea, Aire, and Shoar, the Thunder when to rowle 

With terror through the dark Aereal Hall. 

Some say he bid his Angels turne ascanse 

The Poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more 

From the Suns Axle; they with labour push'd 

Oblique the Centric Globe: Som say the Sun 

Was bid turn Reines from th' Equinoctial Rode 

Like distant breadth to TAURUS with the Seav'n 

ATLANTICK Sisters, and the SPARTAN Twins 

Up to the TROPIC Crab; thence down amaine 

By LEO and the VIRGIN and the SCALES, 

As deep as CAPRICORNE, to bring in change 

Of Seasons to each Clime; else had the Spring 

Perpetual smil'd on Earth with vernant Flours, 

Equal in Days and Nights, except to those 

Beyond the Polar Circles; to them Day 

Had unbenighted shon, while the low Sun 

To recompence his distance, in thir sight 

Had rounded still th' HORIZON, and not known 

Or East or West, which had forbid the Snow 

From cold ESTOTILAND, and South as farr 

Beneath MAGELLAN.  At that tasted Fruit 

The Sun, as from THYESTEAN Banquet, turn'd 

His course intended; else how had the World 

Inhabited, though sinless, more then now, 

Avoided pinching cold and scorching heate? 

These changes in the Heav'ns, though slow, produc'd 

Like change on Sea and Land, sideral blast, 

Vapour, and Mist, and Exhalation hot, 

Corrupt and Pestilent: Now from the North 

Of NORUMBEGA, and the SAMOED shoar 

Bursting thir brazen Dungeon, armd with ice 

And snow and haile and stormie gust and flaw, 

BOREAS and CAECIAS and ARGESTES loud 

And THRASCIAS rend the Woods and Seas upturn; 

With adverse blast up-turns them from the South 

NOTUS and AFER black with thundrous Clouds 

From SERRALIONA; thwart of these as fierce 

Forth rush the LEVANT and the PONENT VVindes 

EURUS and ZEPHIR with thir lateral noise, 

SIROCCO, and LIBECCHIO.  Thus began 

Outrage from liveless things; but Discord first 

Daughter of Sin, among th' irrational, 

Death introduc'd through fierce antipathie: 

Beast now with Beast gan war, & Fowle with Fowle, 

And Fish with Fish; to graze the Herb all leaving, 

Devourd each other; nor stood much in awe 

Of Man, but fled him, or with count'nance grim 

Glar'd on him passing: these were from without 

The growing miseries, which ADAM saw 

Alreadie in part, though hid in gloomiest shade, 

To sorrow abandond, but worse felt within, 

And in a troubl'd Sea of passion tost, 

Thus to disburd'n sought with sad complaint. 



  O miserable of happie! is this the end 

Of this new glorious World, and mee so late 

The Glory of that Glory, who now becom 

Accurst of blessed, hide me from the face 

Of God, whom to behold was then my highth 

Of happiness: yet well, if here would end 

The miserie, I deserv'd it, and would beare 

My own deservings; but this will not serve; 

All that I eate or drink, or shall beget, 

Is propagated curse.  O voice once heard 

Delightfully, ENCREASE AND MULTIPLY, 

Now death to heare! for what can I encrease 

Or multiplie, but curses on my head? 

Who of all Ages to succeed, but feeling 

The evil on him brought by me, will curse 

My Head, Ill fare our Ancestor impure, 

For this we may thank ADAM; but his thanks 

Shall be the execration; so besides 

Mine own that bide upon me, all from mee 

Shall with a fierce reflux on mee redound, 

On mee as on thir natural center light 

Heavie, though in thir place.  O fleeting joyes 

Of Paradise, deare bought with lasting woes! 

Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay 

To mould me Man, did I sollicite thee 

From darkness to promote me, or here place 

In this delicious Garden? as my Will 

Concurd not to my being, it were but right 

And equal to reduce me to my dust, 

Desirous to resigne, and render back 

All I receav'd, unable to performe 

Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold 

The good I sought not.  To the loss of that, 

Sufficient penaltie, why hast thou added 

The sense of endless woes? inexplicable 

Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late, 

I thus contest; then should have been refusd 

Those terms whatever, when they were propos'd: 

Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good, 

Then cavil the conditions? and though God 

Made thee without thy leave, what if thy Son 

Prove disobedient, and reprov'd, retort, 

Wherefore didst thou beget me? I sought it not: 

Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee 

That proud excuse? yet him not thy election, 

But Natural necessity begot. 

God made thee of choice his own, and of his own 

To serve him, thy reward was of his grace, 

Thy punishment then justly is at his Will. 

Be it so, for I submit, his doom is fair, 

That dust I am, and shall to dust returne: 

O welcom hour whenever! why delayes 

His hand to execute what his Decree 

Fixd on this day? why do I overlive, 

Why am I mockt with death, and length'nd out 

To deathless pain? how gladly would I meet 

Mortalitie my sentence, and be Earth 

Insensible, how glad would lay me down 

As in my Mothers lap? there I should rest 

And sleep secure; his dreadful voice no more 

Would Thunder in my ears, no fear of worse 

To mee and to my ofspring would torment me 

With cruel expectation.  Yet one doubt 

Pursues me still, least all I cannot die, 

Least that pure breath of Life, the Spirit of Man 

Which God inspir'd, cannot together perish 

With this corporeal Clod; then in the Grave, 

Or in some other dismal place, who knows 

But I shall die a living Death?  O thought 

Horrid, if true! yet why? it was but breath 

Of Life that sinn'd; what dies but what had life 

And sin? the Bodie properly hath neither. 

All of me then shall die: let this appease 

The doubt, since humane reach no further knows. 

For though the Lord of all be infinite, 

Is his wrauth also? be it, man is not so, 

But mortal doom'd.  How can he exercise 

Wrath without end on Man whom Death must end? 

Can he make deathless Death? that were to make 

Strange contradiction, which to God himself 

Impossible is held, as Argument 

Of weakness, not of Power.  Will he, draw out, 

For angers sake, finite to infinite 

In punisht man, to satisfie his rigour 

Satisfi'd never; that were to extend 

His Sentence beyond dust and Natures Law, 

By which all Causes else according still 

To the reception of thir matter act, 

Not to th' extent of thir own Spheare.  But say 

That Death be not one stroak, as I suppos'd, 

Bereaving sense, but endless miserie 

From this day onward, which I feel begun 

Both in me, and without me, and so last 

To perpetuitie; Ay me, that fear 

Comes thundring back with dreadful revolution 

On my defensless head; both Death and I 

Am found Eternal, and incorporate both, 

Nor I on my part single, in mee all 

Posteritie stands curst: Fair Patrimonie 

That I must leave ye, Sons; O were I able 

To waste it all my self, and leave ye none! 

So disinherited how would ye bless 

Me now your Curse!  Ah, why should all mankind 

For one mans fault thus guiltless be condemn'd, 

If guiltless?  But from mee what can proceed, 

But all corrupt, both Mind and Will deprav'd, 

Not to do onely, but to will the same 

With me? how can they acquitted stand 

In sight of God?  Him after all Disputes 

Forc't I absolve: all my evasions vain 

And reasonings, though through Mazes, lead me still 

But to my own conviction: first and last 

On mee, mee onely, as the sourse and spring 

Of all corruption, all the blame lights due; 

So might the wrauth, Fond wish! couldst thou support 

That burden heavier then the Earth to bear, 

Then all the world much heavier, though divided 

With that bad Woman?  Thus what thou desir'st, 

And what thou fearst, alike destroyes all hope 

Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable 

Beyond all past example and future, 

To SATAN onely like both crime and doom. 

O Conscience, into what Abyss of fears 

And horrors hast thou driv'n me; out of which 

I find no way, from deep to deeper plung'd! 



  Thus ADAM to himself lamented loud 

Through the still Night, now now, as ere man fell, 

Wholsom and cool, and mild, but with black Air 

Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom, 

Which to his evil Conscience represented 

All things with double terror: On the ground 

Outstretcht he lay, on the cold ground, and oft 

Curs'd his Creation, Death as oft accus'd 

Of tardie execution, since denounc't 

The day of his offence.  Why comes not Death, 

Said hee, with one thrice acceptable stroke 

To end me?  Shall Truth fail to keep her word, 

Justice Divine not hast'n to be just? 

But Death comes not at call, Justice Divine 

Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries. 

O Woods, O Fountains, Hillocks, Dales and Bowrs, 

VVith other echo farr I taught your Shades 

To answer, and resound farr other Song. 

VVhom thus afflicted when sad EVE beheld, 

Desolate where she sate, approaching nigh, 

Soft words to his fierce passion she assay'd: 

But her with stern regard he thus repell'd. 



  Out of my sight, thou Serpent, that name best 

Befits thee with him leagu'd, thy self as false 

And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape, 

Like his, and colour Serpentine may shew 

Thy inward fraud, to warn all Creatures from thee 

Henceforth; least that too heav'nly form, pretended 

To hellish falshood, snare them.  But for thee 

I had persisted happie, had not thy pride 

And wandring vanitie, when lest was safe, 

Rejected my forewarning, and disdain'd 

Not to be trusted, longing to be seen 

Though by the Devil himself, him overweening 

To over-reach, but with the Serpent meeting 

Fool'd and beguil'd, by him thou, I by thee, 

To trust thee from my side, imagin'd wise, 

Constant, mature, proof against all assaults, 

And understood not all was but a shew 

Rather then solid vertu, all but a Rib 

Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears, 

More to the part sinister from me drawn, 

Well if thrown out, as supernumerarie 

To my just number found.  O why did God, 

Creator wise, that peopl'd highest Heav'n 

With Spirits Masculine, create at last 

This noveltie on Earth, this fair defect 

Of Nature, and not fill the World at once 

With Men as Angels without Feminine, 

Or find some other way to generate 

Mankind? this mischief had not then befall'n, 

And more that shall befall, innumerable 

Disturbances on Earth through Femal snares, 

And straight conjunction with this Sex: for either 

He never shall find out fit Mate, but such 

As some misfortune brings him, or mistake, 

Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain 

Through her perverseness, but shall see her gaind 

By a farr worse, or if she love, withheld 

By Parents, or his happiest choice too late 

Shall meet, alreadie linkt and Wedlock-bound 

To a fell Adversarie, his hate or shame: 

Which infinite calamitie shall cause 

To humane life, and houshold peace confound. 



  He added not, and from her turn'd, but EVE 

Not so repulst, with Tears that ceas'd not flowing, 

And tresses all disorderd, at his feet 

Fell humble, and imbracing them, besaught 

His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint. 



  Forsake me not thus, ADAM, witness Heav'n 

What love sincere, and reverence in my heart 

I beare thee, and unweeting have offended, 

Unhappilie deceav'd; thy suppliant 

I beg, and clasp thy knees; bereave me not, 

Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid, 

Thy counsel in this uttermost distress, 

My onely strength and stay: forlorn of thee, 

Whither shall I betake me, where subsist? 

While yet we live, scarse one short hour perhaps, 

Between us two let there be peace, both joyning, 

As joyn'd in injuries, one enmitie 

Against a Foe by doom express assign'd us, 

That cruel Serpent: On me exercise not 

Thy hatred for this miserie befall'n, 

On me already lost, mee then thy self 

More miserable; both have sin'd, but thou 

Against God onely, I against God and thee, 

And to the place of judgement will return, 

There with my cries importune Heaven, that all 

The sentence from thy head remov'd may light 

On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe, 

Mee mee onely just object of his ire. 



  She ended weeping, and her lowlie plight, 

Immoveable till peace obtain'd from fault 

Acknowledg'd and deplor'd, in ADAM wraught 

Commiseration; soon his heart relented 

Towards her, his life so late and sole delight, 

Now at his feet submissive in distress, 

Creature so faire his reconcilement seeking, 

His counsel whom she had displeas'd, his aide; 

As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost, 

And thus with peaceful words uprais'd her soon. 



  Unwarie, and too desirous, as before, 

So now of what thou knowst not, who desir'st 

The punishment all on thy self; alas, 

Beare thine own first, ill able to sustaine 

His full wrauth whose thou feelst as yet lest part, 

And my displeasure bearst so ill.  If Prayers 

Could alter high Decrees, I to that place 

Would speed before thee, and be louder heard, 

That on my head all might be visited, 

Thy frailtie and infirmer Sex forgiv'n, 

To me committed and by me expos'd. 

But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame 

Each other, blam'd enough elsewhere, but strive 

In offices of Love, how we may light'n 

Each others burden in our share of woe; 

Since this days Death denounc't, if ought I see, 

Will prove no sudden, but a slow-pac't evill, 

A long days dying to augment our paine, 

And to our Seed (O hapless Seed!) deriv'd. 



  To whom thus EVE, recovering heart, repli'd. 

ADAM, by sad experiment I know 

How little weight my words with thee can finde, 

Found so erroneous, thence by just event 

Found so unfortunate; nevertheless, 

Restor'd by thee, vile as I am, to place 

Of new acceptance, hopeful to regaine 

Thy Love, the sole contentment of my heart, 

Living or dying from thee I will not hide 

What thoughts in my unquiet brest are ris'n, 

Tending to som relief of our extremes, 

Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable, 

As in our evils, and of easier choice. 

If care of our descent perplex us most, 

Which must be born to certain woe, devourd 

By Death at last, and miserable it is 

To be to others cause of misery, 

Our own begotten, and of our Loines to bring 

Into this cursed World a woful Race, 

That after wretched Life must be at last 

Food for so foule a Monster, in thy power 

It lies, yet ere Conception to prevent 

The Race unblest, to being yet unbegot. 

Childless thou art, Childless remaine: 

So Death shall be deceav'd his glut, and with us two 

Be forc'd to satisfie his Rav'nous Maw. 

But if thou judge it hard and difficult, 

Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain 

From Loves due Rites, Nuptial embraces sweet, 

And with desire to languish without hope, 

Before the present object languishing 

With like desire, which would be miserie 

And torment less then none of what we dread, 

Then both our selves and Seed at once to free 

From what we fear for both, let us make short, 

Let us seek Death, or hee not found, supply 

With our own hands his Office on our selves; 

Why stand we longer shivering under feares, 

That shew no end but Death, and have the power, 

Of many wayes to die the shortest choosing, 

Destruction with destruction to destroy. 



  She ended heer, or vehement despaire 

Broke off the rest; so much of Death her thoughts 

Had entertaind, as di'd her Cheeks with pale. 

But ADAM with such counsel nothing sway'd, 

To better hopes his more attentive minde 

Labouring had rais'd, and thus to EVE repli'd. 



  EVE, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems 

To argue in thee somthing more sublime 

And excellent then what thy minde contemnes; 

But self-destruction therefore saught, refutes 

That excellence thought in thee, and implies, 

Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret 

For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd. 

Or if thou covet death, as utmost end 

Of miserie, so thinking to evade 

The penaltie pronounc't, doubt not but God 

Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire then so 

To be forestall'd; much more I fear least Death 

So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine 

We are by doom to pay; rather such acts 

Of contumacie will provoke the highest 

To make death in us live: Then let us seek 

Som safer resolution, which methinks 

I have in view, calling to minde with heed 

Part of our Sentence, that thy Seed shall bruise 

The Serpents head; piteous amends, unless 

Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand Foe 

SATAN, who in the Serpent hath contriv'd 

Against us this deceit: to crush his head 

Would be revenge indeed; which will be lost 

By death brought on our selves, or childless days 

Resolv'd, as thou proposest; so our Foe 

Shall scape his punishment ordain'd, and wee 

Instead shall double ours upon our heads. 

No more be mention'd then of violence 

Against our selves, and wilful barrenness, 

That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely 

Rancor and pride, impatience and despite, 

Reluctance against God and his just yoke 

Laid on our Necks.  Remember with what mild 

And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd 

Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected 

Immediate dissolution, which we thought 

Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee 

Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold, 

And bringing forth, soon recompenc't with joy, 

Fruit of thy Womb: On mee the Curse aslope 

Glanc'd on the ground, with labour I must earne 

My bread; what harm?  Idleness had bin worse; 

My labour will sustain me; and least Cold 

Or Heat should injure us, his timely care 

Hath unbesaught provided, and his hands 

Cloath'd us unworthie, pitying while he judg'd; 

How much more, if we pray him, will his ear 

Be open, and his heart to pitie incline, 

And teach us further by what means to shun 

Th' inclement Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow, 

Which now the Skie with various Face begins 

To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds 

Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks 

Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek 

Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish 

Our Limbs benumm'd, ere this diurnal Starr 

Leave cold the Night, how we his gather'd beams 

Reflected, may with matter sere foment, 

Or by collision of two bodies grinde 

The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds 

Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock 

Tine the slant Lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down 

Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine, 

And sends a comfortable heat from farr, 

Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use, 

And what may else be remedie or cure 

To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, 

Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace 

Beseeching him, so as we need not fear 

To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd 

By him with many comforts, till we end 

In dust, our final rest and native home. 

What better can we do, then to the place 

Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall 

Before him reverent, and there confess 

Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears 

VVatering the ground, and with our sighs the Air 

Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 

Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek. 

Undoubtedly he will relent and turn 

From his displeasure; in whose look serene, 

VVhen angry most he seem'd and most severe, 

VVhat else but favor, grace, and mercie shon? 



  So spake our Father penitent, nor EVE 

Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place 

Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell 

Before him reverent, and both confess'd 

Humbly thir faults, and pardon beg'd, with tears 

VVatering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air 

Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 

Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek. 



     THE END OF THE NINTH BOOK.